The White House withdrew the nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat to serve as U.S. surgeon general the day before her Senate confirmation hearing. President Donald Trump simultaneously announced that Dr. Casey Means, who has close ties to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will be his new pick for the position.

The abrupt switch comes days after right-wing provocateur Laura Loomer criticized Nesheiwat for previously advocating for the Covid vaccine and accused her of promoting “DEI-focused initiatives.”